Stunning 3-bedroom industrial conversion, 3 miles from Bury St Edmunds
Space & setting.
This is a love story, of how a Creative Director obsessively trawled websites of derelict properties looking for her perfect match. She eventually found it in this utility offshoot of an abandoned old Manor House and spent months breathing new life into its ancient bones before making it her home, which she rents out to a lucky few. Inside, deliberately plain white walls offset a stunning blend of vintage treasures; some collected over 15 years in Morocco, Lisbon and Northern California; others carefully sourced from eBay and favourite antique shops. Floors are smooth polished cement or salvaged tiles; high vaulted ceilings allow a flood of natural light that’s beautiful all year round. Every detail is perfect. Come with friends or bring the kids (there are 3 bedrooms) and spend your days walking, cycling and wild swimming on Knettishall Heath, visiting medieval wool towns and Bury’s restaurants, and then hunkering down in the snug to watch a film on the projector. Incredibly special.
Getting here: drive or train to Bury St Edmunds then taxi (3 miles)
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Sustainability.
Energy supplied by Bulb. The principal aim when furnishing was to minimise buying new stuff. Hence sofas, table, chairs and many of the objects were carefully sourced vintage, and the beds were from Gumtree – though of course topped with comfortable new mattresses and bedlinens!
Surrounds.
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Knettishall Heath -
Knettishall Heath -
Canterbury Cathedral -
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Lavenham
- Woosters is an exceptional family bakery in the nearby village of Bardwell; pop there first thing and pick up some amazing morning buns and sourdough for breakfast in the garden.
- Cycle and walk at Knettishall Heath, a nearby nature reserve; in summer you can swim in its weir. Or visit Nowton Park, for 200 acres of green space and a quirky maze.
- You’re 3 miles from Bury St Edmunds, which has beautiful architecture, Georgian squares and a fruit and veg market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. There are daily tours of the medieval Abbey and its ruins
- Pea Porridge is the owner’s favourite restaurant in town, a former 19thC bakery, with imaginative menus (we love the sound of Essex lamb rump with aubergine caponata, meguez and wild garlic pesto). Try Wright’s Café for local roasted coffee and homemade cakes.
- Abbeygate is a revamped 1920s cinema, showing independent and mainstream titles. It has super-comfy reclining seats and bar service.
- Seek out your own vintage finds. Browse in Bury’s little Smoking Monkey Antiques shop or head to Long Melford for 2 huge antique warehouses
- We love beautiful Lavenham, with its medieval half-timbered houses. Don’t miss the stunning Guildhall of Corpus Christi, founded by the wealthy wool guild in the 1500s.
Specifics.
- Private house in peaceful surrounds; you’ll see wild deer and hear owls
- 3 double bedrooms, one of which can be twinned
- 2 bathrooms, one with a bath, one with a walk-in shower; toiletries provided
- Stunning vaulted kitchen with basic ingredients
- Sunken snug with board games, a projector and screen (hooks up to a laptop using a USB), small speakers and WiFi
- Underfloor heating
- Washing machine and dishwasher
- Children welcome – note the bedrooms do not have blinds/curtains so you might want to bring a black-out travel blind
- Dog friendly
- Private walled garden with alfresco dining furniture
- Petrol station for basics 10 mins’ walk away; drive to shops/pubs/restaurants
- Booking conditions: a 3-night minimum stay
- Remember to pack: a laptop for projecting films, a device for listening to music, walking boots
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A 30% deposit, then balance taken 8 weeks prior to stay.
Cancellations made before balance taken can be refunded in full.
After this date the booking is non refundable in the event of cancellation. Resells / date changes at owner’s discretion.
See our full Ts & Cs here.
FAQs.
Well behaved dogs welcome for a £50 fee.
There’s WiFi, a projector, speaker, adaptor (bring your own laptop) and screen. We also have a range of games: Scrabble, Balderdash, Pick-up sticks, wooden horse and jockey racing.
Check in: Anytime after 3pm.
Check out: 10.30am.
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